Category Archives: International

Naughtiness at Las Vegas Sands; Caesars makes bankruptcy plan official

Posted on March 4, 2015 by David McKee

Sands China could have some stateside problems. Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez is mulling whether or not to slap Sands’ wrist for tampering with evidence. The documents in question are part of a wrongful-termination lawsuit brought by former Sands China CEO Steven … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, IGT, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, The Strip | Comments Off

Caesars quits Ohio; Adelson’s Iran problem

Posted on March 2, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment‘s portfolio is lighter to the tune of two Ohio casinos and a racino. The beleaguered company sold its 20% in Horseshoe Cleveland, Horseshoe Cincinnati and ThistleDown Racino to majority shareholder Rock Ohio Ventures, giving Dan Gilbert full control … Continue reading →

Posted in Dan Gilbert, GTECH, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, IGT, International, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Technology, Warner Gaming | 2 Comments

That wacky Glenn Straub; Instant racing stumbles; Mongolia or bust

Posted on February 18, 2015 by David McKee

Revel AC has been continuing to negotiate with beady-eyed billionaire Glenn Straub, even after the clock has run out on their purchase agreement. Revel’s incentive is that it wants to avoid Chapter 7 liquidation. Trouble is, Straub is reported to … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Glenn Straub, Idaho, International, New York, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Revel, Tribal | 2 Comments

Dismay in Wisconsin; Disorder at SLS

Posted on January 29, 2015 by David McKee

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has managed to bring Democrats and Republicans together — in opposition to his decision to nix a proposed Menominee Nation casino. Lawmakers cited the $250 million bond posted by the Menominee and the tribe’s promise … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, James Packer, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, The Strip, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Possible Pennsylvania cutback?; Prudes pressured Walker

Posted on January 26, 2015 by David McKee

Once casinos move to fill a vacuum, it’s difficult to push them back. But that’s what Pennsylvania state Rep. Will Talman (R) is trying to do. He’s proposing a bill to close Keystone State casinos nightly between 2 a.m. and … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Iowa, Macau, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Tribal, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Walker finally acts; Pessimistic about Japan

Posted on January 23, 2015 by David McKee

After numerous delays, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) finally was roused from inaction on the proposed Menominee Nation casino for Kenosha. The governor’s response to the tribe was a firm “no,” predicated upon forecasts of revenue losses from the state’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, International, Japan, PokerStars, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Tribal, Wisconsin | 1 Comment

Indian givers in D.C.; Mixed bag for Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun

Posted on January 19, 2015 by David McKee

Arizona‘s congressional delegation continues to single out the Tohono O’odham Nation for being too successful. Sens. John McCain (R) and Jeff Flake (R), and Reps. Trent Franks and Paul Gosar are trying yet again to legislate the Tohono O’odham’s $400 … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Economy, Foxwoods, Geoff Freeman, International, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Tribal | Comments Off

Atlantic City hangs in there; Mississippi mulls i-poker

Posted on January 15, 2015 by David McKee

When it comes to Atlantic City it literally is a question of whether the glass is half-empty or half-full. The city’s casinos are 48% off their 2006 high of $5.2 billion. In 2014, the decline was slowed somewhat by $123 … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Economy, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Mississippi, Politics, Revel, Sports, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts | Comments Off

Cuomo’s New York mess thickens

Posted on January 14, 2015 by David McKee

Bowing to pressure from New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), the Gaming Facility Location Board is starting the clock on a new round of bidding for casinos in the state’s thinly populated Southern Tier. It didn’t draw much interest last … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International, James Packer, LVCVA, New York, Philippines, Regulation, South Korea, Sports, Technology, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off

Caesars’ shell game; Phua gambit backfires

Posted on January 13, 2015 by David McKee

Caesars Entertainment continues to plow toward a Jan. 20 prepackaged bankruptcy filing, but it’s got a tough row to hoe. For one thing, it must get around the involuntary bankruptcy motion by Appaloosa Management, Oaktree Capital Management and Tennenbaum Capital Partners. … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Regulation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Wynn proceeds in Boston, Genting stalls in Miami

Posted on January 9, 2015 by David McKee

Although Steve Wynn‘s Everett project is besieged with lawsuits, a member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is relatively sanguine about the resort’s prospects. “I don’t think necessarily the suit will delay it; I think it is the various permit-granting authorities … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Genting, International, Massachusetts, New York, Regulation, Sports, The Strip | 1 Comment

Buckeye State bullseye

Posted on January 7, 2015 by David McKee

Ohio casinos and racinos posted spectacular figures last month. By the calculations of Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli, revenues were up 37% (or 18% on a same-store basis). Horseshoe Cleveland, up 16.5%, was also the top grosser — $21 million, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Japan, Maine, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

New Yorkers want a do-over; Another EuroVegas folds

Posted on December 29, 2014 by David McKee

Magnanimously, Traditions at the Glen partner — and losing casino bidder — Peter Walsh is throwing his support to racino mogul Jeff Gural. The latter is trying to pry New York‘s fourth and last new-casino license loose from New York State’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Delaware, Economy, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, New York, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Politics, Racinos, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off

Macao: Pressure for change; Stanley Ho into South Korea?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by David McKee

Despite having only one-tenth as many hotel rooms as Las Vegas, the enclave of Macao is feeling the pressure to develop a more tourism-oriented business model. China’s president, Xi Jinping visited Macao last weekend and dropped a few strong hints. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Harrah's, International, Macau, Marketing, New York, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, South Korea, Stanley Ho, Tourism | Comments Off

Many called, few chosen for New York casinos

Posted on December 18, 2014 by David McKee

Count mega-budget offerings from Genting Group and Caesars Entertainment among the marquee-name dismissals in the New York Gaming Facility Location Board‘s final cut of casino applicants. Also going into the circular file were a second Genting project (Resorts World Hudson Valley), along with … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Downs, Cordish Co., Economy, Genting, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Mohegan Sun, Neil Bluhm, New York, Penn National, Racinos, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off

Vegas hits the jackpot & other Case Bets

Posted on December 17, 2014 by David McKee

We don’t know how much they’ve spent yet and how much of a blockbuster year this will be for Las Vegas but we know one thing for certain. We’ve finally broken the 40 million mark in annual visitation, a Holy … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Sports, Tourism | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 16, 2014 by David McKee

“JP Morgan analyst Matt Ryan questioned Crown‘s, timing given it is ramping up its exposure to the wagering industry at a time when increased racing fees are eating bookmakers’ margins.” What? Would James Packer ever make a bad business decision? … Continue reading →

Posted in International, James Packer | Comments Off

Much ado about Harmon

Posted on December 16, 2014 by David McKee

After endless months of maneuvering and legal posturing, MGM Resorts International and Tutor Perini arrived at a settlement on what was to have been the opening day of an epic trial. (That’s seven weeks of jury selection down the drain.) The case … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, International, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off

Reid’s treachery and Adelson’s myopia

Posted on December 15, 2014 by David McKee

As predicted here, Sen. Harry Reid (D) stuck a knife in erstwhile allies Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, embracing Sheldon Adelson instead. If Sheldon, who holds all the cards at this point, cedes to a carve-out for online poker, Reid … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson | Comments Off

Big month for Isle; Sentence handed down on Caesars gang

Posted on December 10, 2014 by David McKee

Whether it’s that one less weekend day than last year or holiday shopping or whatever, Missouri was down again in November after tantalizing us with a revenue-positive October. The statewide decrease was 4%, with table revenues holding steady but slot revenues pulling … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Kansas, Missouri, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off